Equol

Equol (4',7-isoflavandiol) is an isoflavandiol metabolized from daidzein, a type of isoflavone, by bacterial flora in the intestines. While endogenous estrogenic hormones such as estradiol are steroids, equol is a nonsteroidal estrogen. However, only about 30-50% of people have intestinal bacteria that make equol. Equol may have beneficial effects on the incidence of prostate cancer, bone health skin health and physiological changes during menopause, including reducing severity and frequency of hot flashes and stiffness in the neck and shoulder. Other benefits may be realized in treating male pattern baldness, acne, and other problems because it functions as a DHT blocker. Equol can exist in two enantiomeric forms, (S)-equol and (R)-equol. S-equol preferentially activates estrogen receptor type β.